Self-adjusting gripping handle



March 31, 1970 G- J. JOHNSON 3,5

SELF-ADJUSTING GRIPPING HANDLE I Filed Dec. 22, 1967 GLOVER J. JOHNSON INVENTOR.

United States Patent US. Cl. 294-29 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A handle device for automatic spring-urged gripping engagement with the top and bottom rims of containers by the use of one hand of an operator for carrying and pouring operations.

This invention relates to improvements in detachable handle devices for various types of containers such as metal cans, oil drums, and similar containers having a capacity of a gallon or more and of such weight as to require two hands of a user for pouring the contents.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a detachable handle of the character described which is of extreme simplicity and durability and which is further characterized by positive gripping action when attached to the article to be handled.

Another object is to provide a handle structure provided with a hook at its bottom end to engage the bottom end of a container and spring urged toward the top of a rod provided with a hook for engaging the top end of the container.

A further object is to provide a handle and container engaging and disengaging clamp comprising only three parts of simple, efficient, durable and inexpensive construction, readily assembled into a pleasing appearance and which may cleaned without disassembly or damage to its actuating mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a container showing a handle device made in accordance with my invention in positive gripping engagement with the top and bottom ends of a container.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the left end of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view on an enlarged scale taken approximately along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 4 is a view of the handle device removed from the container, with a fragment broken away, and showing in broken lines movement of a hand grip within its operative range.

With continuing reference to the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and particularly FIGURE 1 thereof, reference numeral 1 indicates a container usually of such size and weight as to require both hands of a user to carry or to hold in a pouring position in about the attitude shown.

The container is normally closed by top and bottom end walls 2 and 3 surrounded by rims 4 and 5. The preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated comprises a main body in the form of an elongated rod 8 formed into a hook 9 at its top end and provided with a first limit stop 10 at its opposite or bottom end and a second limit stop 11 intermediate its ends.

A hand grip 12 formed integral with a hollow tubular member 12A is slidable along the rod 8 between the two limit stops 10 and 11. The tubular member is extended at its bottom end as at 13 into a hook member 14 for cooperation with the top hook 9.

Interposed between the bottom end of tubular member 12A and the pin 10- is a compression spring 16 which, as shown in FIGURE 4, normally holds the tubular member and hence the hand grip 12 in the full line elevated position.

To put the device in gripping engagement with both ends of the container 1, as shown in FIGURE 1, it is merely necessary to first engage the top hook 9 with the top end 2 of the container, move the hand grip with its hook 14 downwardly (FIG. 4) into the broken line position then inwardly over the bottom rim 5 of the container whereupon expansion of the spring 16 will force the hook 14 upwardly into firm engagement with the bottom end of the container.

What I claim is:

1. A gripping device comprising an elongated rod having a top end and a bottom end,

the top end of the rod terminating in a hook,

a first limit stop secured to the rod at the bottom end thereof,

a handle integral with a hollow tubular member having a top end and a bottom end and slidably mounted on said rod,

the bottom end of the tubular member terminating in a hook adjacent said first limit stop,

a second limit stop secured to said rod between the top end of said tubular member and the top end of said rod,

a compression spring coiled about said rod with one of its ends bearing against said first limit stop with its opposite end bearing against the bottom end of said tubular member whereby said handle is at all times urged toward said second limit stop.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,396,479 3/1946 Votaw 294-34 ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner 

